Paul George’s podcast has nothing to do with the Philadelphia 76ers’ struggles on the court. Amidst one of the most challenging seasons of his career, George is channeling all his energy into basketball, aiming to steer the 76ers back on course. After joining the NBA podcasting scene in 2023 during his tenure with the Los Angeles Clippers, he has decided to suspend his “Podcast P” for the remainder of the 2025 NBA season.
“I want to let the ‘Podcast P’ family know that after today’s episode I plan to take a break from the pod,” George announced on his show. “This is to focus on getting my body right, getting mentally right, and helping this squad make a push towards our goal to finish this season strong and give ourselves a chance to compete for a championship.”
Currently, the 76ers sit at 20-38, occupying 12th place in the Eastern Conference, trailing the Chicago Bulls by 2.5 games for the final spot in the NBA’s Play-In Tournament with just 24 games left to play.
“Paul George’s podcast isn’t the reason that (the 76ers) are where they are!” remarked FOX Sports NBA analyst Ric Bucher during Thursday’s episode of FS1’s “Speak.”
“It’s got nothing to do with what’s happening on the court,” added former NBA star Paul Pierce.
The 76ers’ troubles stem from a combination of George’s performance and the ongoing health issues of former NBA MVP Joel Embiid. Embiid has only played in 19 games this season while managing pain in his left knee. Even when he is on the court, his performance has noticeably declined, averaging 23.8 points and 8.2 rebounds, appearing less agile due to injury concerns.
At 34, George signed a lucrative four-year deal worth $211.6 million with the 76ers last offseason but has struggled to meet expectations. Across 39 games, he averages 16.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists, having missed 19 games due to various injuries, including issues with his knee, ankle, and groin.
“Just to mentally lock in,” advised Keyshawn Johnson on “Speak,” suggesting what he would do if he were in George’s position.
While George’s podcast is on hold, it is unrealistic to expect his performance to revert to previous levels merely because he has paused his podcasting efforts. In a recent game against the New York Knicks, George made a critical turnover in the closing minutes of a 110-105 loss.
Despite trailing by 16 points at halftime, the 76ers fought back to take the lead with four minutes remaining. However, Jalen Brunson’s impressive nine-point run propelled the Knicks ahead 105-102 with 1:30 left. George attempted to respond but mishandled the ball while driving the lane, resulting in an out-of-bounds pass.
While George’s podcast may be on hiatus, the 76ers still face significant challenges in their pursuit of a championship title.
